Random Thursday

*I wonder what happened to the "technology and stuff" guy from the World Series?

*Remember when the Detroit Lions would take Barry Sanders out of the game when they would get to the one yard line?

*If the Minnesota Twins get to 75 wins this season, would that be considered a success?

*I dislike both Super Bowl participants, but I think I dislike Seattle a little more.  So by default, I'm rooting for New England.  I'm also rooting for a horrendously, controversial call which underscores the awful officiating in the NFL.

*Wouldn't it be fun to watch a Super Bowl in Vegas?

*Reggie Tales shout out to Mitch in Horace.

*I watched "The Interview" the other day.  It's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.  How's that for a vote of confidence?

My Dad

This morning, the first of 2015, my dad will wake up in Hawaii.

Which is pretty cool because it marks the 50th state he's visited.  Yep, all 50 states.  He and my mom loved to travel and had conquered 48 of our United States when she passed away a couple of years ago.

But even at 83 years of age, I knew my dad would make it to Hawaii.  It was just a matter of which of his six kids was going to be able to coordinate the logistics of this undertaking.  Enter Bro #3 and his wife and family to pull it all together.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:  my dad is pretty cool.  He's not just living life, he's attacking it.  Born on the Fourth of July in 1931, he's been on the run figuratively and literally since.

And so, dad,  as I go outside to shovel the overnight snow from my driveway in the 14 degree weather, please enjoy your time in Hawaii.  You've earned it.

Random Thursday

*Congratulations to Ryan Leaf on getting released from prison in Montana.

*Congratulations also, to my pal Alec in Hermosa on the nice contract extension.  First round is on you at Ercole's.

*We're going with a real tree this Christmas at the Home Office.  Both dogs have been sniffing around it.  This should get interesting.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Shawn from Stephen.  He and his brother Greg used to stay at my house when it would blizzard during school.  We would turn out the lights in the basement and commence a rudimentary Fight Club.  A good time was had by all.

*If Torii Hunter punches Joe Mauer during Spring Training I will consider his signing a success.

*I wasn't shocked at all by the Minnesota Timberwolves losing to the previously winless Philadelphia 76'ers.  I found it more surprising people paid to go and watch the game.

*Remember Cordarrelle Patterson?  I don't.  

*Do you ever put pepper spray on your burrito?

*I'm going to skip Horrible Bosses 2.  And Dumb and Dumber To.

Random Thursday on a Tuesday

*I've never been a fan of cranberries.

*Does celery really deserve a place in stuffing?  I think not.

*I'm old enough to remember when CNN wasn't a complete joke.

*I'm happy gas prices have dropped.  I'm curious as to why it is still cheaper in Crookston, Fargo, Hillsboro, Bemidji, Minneapolis, Erskine and Fosston than it is in Grand Forks.

*Are you ever concerned that Family Feud might run out of surveys?  And who takes these surveys?  "100 people were surveyed and the top six answers are on the board...Name a state with a lot of sunshine."

*Reggie Tales shout out to Claire in North Carolina.

*"Birdman" is a very good movie.  And very different.  And Michael Keaton is sensational.  He might be one of our most underrated actors ever.

*Two words:  Pecan pie.  That is all.

Random Thursday

*Wendy's is underrated.

*Bryan Cranston as Dr. Tim Whatley on Seinfeld is one of the great characters in television history.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Blonde Daughter, celebrating her 16th Birthday today!

*I highly recommend "Fury."  And to a lesser degree, "The Equalizer" with Denzel Washington isn't the worst movie I've ever seen.

*So Paul Molitor is the new manager of the Minnesota Twins.  That's nice.  Now, if they don't spend any money this season upgrading their pitching staff and suffer another 90 loss season, what difference does it make?

*I haven't taken my snowblower out of storage yet.  Today might be the day.  Or not.  

*It might be time to put Summer Sidekick on the side of a milk carton.  I haven't seen that clown since the Sacred Heart Golf Tournament where he led us to a 17th place finish.

*It seems strange to me that the Minnesota Vikings are satisfied with a terrible punter.

Concert Bucket List

The Five Concerts I'd Most Like To See:

5.  Van Halen (Original Lineup)

4.  Foo Fighters  

3.  U2

2.  Bruce Springsteen

1.  Red Hot Chili Peppers

Random Thursday

*I'm back from hiatus.

*I wanted to spend more time with my family.

*My new biggest pet peeve:  People who attempt to enter an elevator before everyone has left it.  I need to think of something to say to those people.

*Reggie Tales shout out to Alec in Hermosa.

*While Fruit Loops and Frosted Flakes grab all the headlines, Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch has quietly gone about it's business as one of the most underrated cereals in the game today.  Time to give the Cap'n his due.  He runs a nice ship.

*Happy birthday to Dwight Yoakam.

*Yesterday, I met a 103 year old woman who bowls in Grafton.  Her score was 82.  She turns 104 in two weeks.

*If you ever appear on The Shark Tank, think twice about going out in the hallway to discuss a pending offer, because when you return the deal may be off the table.

*Tomorrow is a special day at The Tales.  I will release my Top Five Concert Bucket List.  

*Bonus shout out to D.C. Guy and Mrs. D.C. Guy on the birth of their son, Charles.